The holidays are just around the corner and with them comes the excitement of finding the perfect gift for the children in your life. For some, this means considering an Xbox – an experience that can provide endless hours of fun, connection, creativity and learning.
But navigating the gaming world can be daunting for some – especially those new to gaming. From questions surrounding online gaming communities to regulating screen time, content appropriateness and ensuring safety, it can be overwhelming at times. Luckily, Xbox makes it easy for adults to make the right decisions for their families.
The most important thing you can do when setting up a new Xbox console is choosing Yes to the question “Will this console be used by children?”
By spending just a few minutes setting one up Xbox child account (as opposed to having them use your existing account) create a safer, more personalized experience for them, and one that suits your family (and is easily adaptable as your little one grows up). Don’t worry, you don’t have to buy your games again so your child can play on the same console*. However, you have control over which of these games you can play, how long you can play, who you can communicate with, and more.
Once you’ve done it Set up your Xbox consoleYou can keep the experience safe by Download the Xbox Family Settings app for her Android or iOS Device. This powerful tool makes it easy to customize your child’s gaming experience from anywhere, even if you’re not near your Xbox.
Here are just some of the possibilities:
Screen time management: You can set time limits to control how long your child can play each day. Parents (and grandparents, aunts and uncles!) tell us that one of their favorite features is the ability for kids to request additional playtime, which you can easily approve or deny right in the app. You can even temporarily pause playtime via the app; the perfect way to say, “Dinner is ready!”
Content filter: The app lets you customize the content your child can access, block games that are too adult, and ensure they only see age-appropriate content that you approve.
Purchase Limits and Permissions: Prevent unexpected purchases by approving each purchase using the Purchase Request feature. To reward good behavior, you can easily add money to a child’s account for future purchases.
Communication controls: Decide who your child can communicate with during their gaming sessions using robust controls. You can manage your child’s friends list and review incoming requests and limit communications to friends only or block them entirely.
Activity reports: Stay on top of things with weekly activity reports that give you an overview of what your child is playing, how long they’ve been playing, and any requests they’ve made for extra time or new games. Pretty cool!
Additionally, the Xbox Series X|S offers numerous features that make gaming accessible to everyone. You can find the entire accessibility settings section here on Xbox’s accessibility page.
Once you’ve put together the experience you want your kids to have, the only question left is: What should you play together? Xbox Game Pass
Games can stimulate creativity, improve hand-eye coordination and provide a sense of achievement. They can also be a fantastic way for children to relax and connect with friends, or be the center of your family’s game night, especially in today’s digital age.
With robust features built into your Xbox console and managed by the Xbox Family Settings app, you can ensure your child’s gaming experience is as safe and controlled as you need it to be.
For more information about the Xbox Family Settings app, see Xbox.com/family-app.
*Permissions are only shared if child accounts use the same console set as the “home” console. More details on setting a home console can be found here.
